What to donate

We can transform items you no longer need into wonderful opportunities for people in our home communities, including vocational and family programs as well as services fostering diversity and financial education.

Please note that more and more for-profit thrift shops are moving into north central Wisconsin communities. If you donate to one of those organizations, you may not be eligible for a tax deduction, and revenues earned might not be returned to your community to fund programs and services. If either of those concepts is important to you, ask the shop if it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and request a report showing how its funds are used before you decide where to donate.

Are there items Goodwill cannot accept?

Yes, and the list changes frequently. We must say “no thank you” to some items for one or more of the following reasons:

It is hazardous material that would create danger in our workplace or be costly to dispose of.

Experience tells us that it will not sell in our stores, and we would eventually have to pay to dispose of it in a landfill.

It is too heavy or bulky, or too costly, for our people to handle.

It has been recalled — or listed as potentially harmful — by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

While we take every effort to keep this list up-to-date, sometimes we must stop taking an item before it makes our list. Please by understanding if a donation attendant says we cannot accept something that is not on the list.

Fueled Equipment

Other

Hazardous liquids and other materials we’re currently unable to accept…

Any open household items

Adhesives

Aerosol spray cans

Air fresheners

Ammunition

Batteries (of any kind)

Cleaners

Detergents

Diabetic testing equipment

Fire extinguishers

Fireworks

Flammables

Herbicides (for plant care)

Kerosene

Lab chemicals

Lead-based products

Light bulbs

Lighters/matches

Medicine/inhalers

Mercury/thermometers/ blood pressure cuffs

Mothballs

Nail polish remover

Oven cleaners

Oxygen tanks

Paints

Personal hygiene items

Perfume

Pesticides

Poison

Polish (of any kind)

Pool chemicals

Primers

Propane tanks

Removers

Smoke detectors

Stains

Syringes

Thinners/turpentine

Tires

Vehicle fluids (gas, oil, transmission, brake, etc.)

Wax products

Wood preservatives

* This is not a complete list; please ask your donation attendant about any item you think is questionable. Please contact your local hazardous waste/recycling center or landfill for advice on how to dispose of these materials safely.